ABUJA, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has tasked the Federal Government to devote more resources for the welfare of internally displaced persons scattered all over the country.
Over 1.5million people are reported to have fled to other parts of the country as a result of insurgent attacks occasioned by the Boko Haram sect, especially in states in the North East.
NUPENG’s President, Igwe Achese, who visited one of the IDP camps located behind Games Village, in Abuja, on Tuesday, where he also made a cash donation of N1million and some food items, said the efforts of the military in curtailing the menace of the sect was quite commendable, but more needed to be done to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.
“We want to call on government to be alive to its responsibility of taking care of these IDPs. This is least expected of our country, which is the biggest country in Africa and the sixth largest producer of hydrocarbon, that also has all the wealth it takes to make this environment conducive for these displaced citizens.
“It is so sad, no light, no water, no security, we are talking of the insecurity crisis in the North-East and North-West and where we also kept them is not safe. We will continue to call on government; we will not fail to fight on this issue with them to see that all the necessary infrastructures that are needed in the camp are provided for them.”
He said the donations were in fulfilment of its corporate social responsibility to victims of insurgencies in the country.
“We have come to express our love and show our concern to the IDPs, who as part of the insecurity challenges we are facing today are being displaced internally in their own country, Nigeria and in their community.
“It’s shocking, sad and painful that for the past four years that we have been fighting these issues of insurgency and bringing people out of their communities to safeguard them, you are also putting them in a vulnerable environment where anything can happen to them at any time, you can imagine where the school children are learning. They are learning in an open atmosphere, it means, if it rains today, it will be difficult for these children to sit down and learn.”
Earlier, spokesperson for the IDP camp, Enock Yohana, expressed appreciation for the kind gesture, saying government had failed them in terms of their welfare.
He said the money would be judiciously used to improve the welfare of the displaced victims.
“We are appreciative that people at the top hierarchy of society have come here today to identify with us. Despite our sufferings we have resorted to makeshift schools under the trees but of course you know that cannot be said to be comfortable for learning.
“We crave the day that we would all go back to our respective homes and re-unite with our families, hence we employ government to redouble efforts at putting a stop to the insurgent crisis in the country,” Yohana said.
Credit: Daily Independent (Nigeria)
